As per the decision dated February 03, 2023 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) 891 / 2021, the OCI/PIO candidates who have secured OCI/PIO card before 04.03.2021 shall be considered as Indian nationals. Therefore, the foreign national candidates will be those who are NOT citizens of India (by birth or naturalized) (but not Overseas Citizens of India / Persons of Indian Origin (OCI/PIO) candidates who have secured OCI/PIO card on or after 04.03.2021) shall be considered as FOREIGN NATIONALS. The OCI/PIO candidates who have secured OCI/PIO card before 04.03.2021 shall be considered for the seats in the OPEN category.